by Cheryl Holt
“What now?” she asked.
“We rest, then we do it again—if you’re not too sore.”
“I’m not sore,” she lied.
She was tender in her female areas, but she’d never admit it. Whatever he wanted, she would never refuse him, would never deny him. If he desired her again so soon, she would gladly agree.
“When will we marry?” she asked.
“We’ll have to figure that out. I can’t imagine going to Edna and requesting permission.”
“Gad, I can’t imagine it either. It would be appalling.”
“You can’t return to England with her.”
“No, I won’t.”
“You’ll have to stay here with me. You’ll have to tell her and mean it. Are you ready for the tempest you’re about to stir?”
“I’m ready.”
“I suppose we could elope. It would frustrate any barriers she might erect to keep us apart.”
“We could elope,” she cautiously concurred, not sure if she was serious.
With his consenting to wed her, events were proceeding at a very fast pace, and she had no idea what was best.
“We can talk about it tomorrow,” he said as if sensing her concern.
“We’ll have to devise a way to communicate so Edna doesn’t suspect.”
“I’m a master of deception. I’ll concoct a brilliant method to thwart her.”
“I’m certain you will. But tomorrow, yes? I’ll hear from you?”
“Definitely. If I could spirit you away then, would you be prepared? We might not get many chances to sneak off.”
“Yes, I could leave on the spur of the moment.”
She relaxed against him, liking the intimacy that had developed, and she was surprised her acquaintances had never waxed on about it. She hadn’t realized that one person could feel so close to another.
He drifted off, and she watched him, committing it all to memory. She dawdled for an eternity, thinking he’d awaken, but he didn’t.
She was anxious to rouse him, to confer about the future, but she didn’t know what was allowed between them and what wasn’t. There were many hurdles to overcome, Edna being the biggest.
Theo would be defying her father too, which was a dicey proposition. Yet after the debacle he’d engineered with Hedley Harrington, she’d never let him butt his nose into any matrimonial decision.
Most likely, she and Soloman would have to elope, but she was wise enough to grasp that she shouldn’t try to unravel the solution until she was less agitated. These were plans that needed a clear head.
Outside, a bird chirped, warning of the dawn that would soon arrive, so her interval with him was over.
She slid away and quickly dressed. The moon was shining in, casting his skin in silvery shades, his hair very black on the pillow. She was swamped by such a wave of affection that she couldn’t bear it.
“I love you,” she murmured. “I will always love you.”
She whipped away and tiptoed out, grabbing her veil as she went. She wrapped it over her face, then exited and hurried to her porters out in the drive. In a matter of seconds, it seemed as if she’d never been there at all.
Fenton slipped through the door into his mother’s bedroom, when suddenly she said, “Fenton! Is that you?”
At being caught, he winced. He’d been so careful, so quiet. What had wakened her?
He was to have been slumbering on the trundle bed next to her, but he often couldn’t sleep, and the hotel was such an interesting place. When Edna began snoring, he would creep out and roam the large property. He’d seen the most curious sights.
Adults liked to bloviate about morality and piety, about sin and decent behavior, but he’d witnessed such shocking conduct that he couldn’t wait to start school again so he could boast to his classmates about the outrageous people he’d spied on in Cairo.
His sister, Susan, was the worst. She was always dashing off with that sly Mr. Price. Fenton’s only regret was that he’d never gotten to actually observe what she and Mr. Price did when they were together. Fenton suspected it was deliciously vulgar.
His mother sat up, her blankets pressed to her chest, her mobcap flopping down. She shoved it away and glared at him.
“Where have you been, young man? Explain yourself.”
“There was a noise in the hall,” he fibbed.
“So you left in the middle of the night? Honestly, Fenton, it’s dangerous to be out among the natives in the darker hours. The locals have unnatural urges.” She shuddered dramatically. “Any mishap could have befallen you.”
“I had no idea if I should follow her or what.”
Edna scowled. “Follow her? Who? You’re talking in riddles, Fenton.”
“It’s…Theo, Mother.”
He hated to tattle on Theo. Despite what everyone believed, he really liked her, much more than he liked his sister or mother. But desperate times called for desperate measures. With Edna glowering, it was too late to change course and pretend he hadn’t mentioned his cousin.
“I peeked out,” he claimed, “to see what was happening, to be sure you were safe.”
She beamed with pride, eager to imagine he’d been gallantly protecting her.
“Thank you, Fenton. You’re very brave, but what’s this about Theo?”
“She was sneaking out. That’s the noise I heard.”
Edna cocked her head and frowned. “What do you mean by sneaking?”
“She’d dressed herself in native clothes, and she had her hair and face covered with a veil. She went down the servants’ stairs.”
“She didn’t, Fenton. Don’t tell lies.”
“It’s true, Mother. I followed her, and she departed in a rented chair.”
“She what?”
“Porters carried her away.”
“Porters, you say?”
“Yes, and I’ve been hiding in the hedges and watching for her to return.” He blinked and blinked to bring on a flood of tears. “But it was scary out there alone, so I came back, but she’s still gone. I’m afraid she’s met with some harm.”
“She left the hotel?” Edna murmured, appearing bewildered.
“Yes.”
“You’re positive it was her, Fenton? This is very serious. You’re not jesting? You’re not playing a trick?”
“I swear, Mother. If you don’t believe me, look in her room. She’s not there.”
Edna studied him, then nodded. “I will look, and if you’ve fabricated a ridiculous story, Fenton, there will have to be consequences.”
“I’m not lying, Mother, and I’m very worried about her.”
“With good reason. It’s a reckless stunt.” She pointed to his bed. “Get to sleep now. I’ll check on Theo, then I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Yes, Mother.” He wrung his hands. “I haven’t gotten her into trouble, have I? I like Theo so much. I hate that she might be scolded because of me.”
“She’s not in trouble, Fenton.” Edna’s expression was furious and determined, so Theo was in a definite predicament. “I have to be certain she’s home safe and sound.”
She grabbed her robe and stormed out, and he walked over and stepped out onto the small balcony over the Nile.
“Sorry, Theo,” he whispered to the sky, and he sent his apology winging out to wherever she was.
Then he strolled inside and snuggled down in his bed. For once, he felt very tired, and he dozed off immediately.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Theo tiptoed into her hotel suite and shut the door. Dawn was breaking in the east, the slightest hint of morning appearing on the horizon.
She was exhausted, but exhilarated too. Daring all, she’d reached out and grabbed for what she wanted. She loved Soloman and had refused to let him go without a fight. She’d demanded he bind himself, and he’d agreed! She couldn’t believe it!
“Hello, Theodosia,” Edna suddenly said from over in the corner. “Where have you been?”
Theo was s
o stunned she was surprised she didn’t collapse. Her mind galloped at a frenzied pace, trying to devise a valid excuse, but she couldn’t think of a single one that would sound credible.
“Hello, Aunt Edna,” she murmured.
“I repeat, Theo, where have you been?”
Theo didn’t reply, and Edna rose and came over. She yanked Theo’s veil away, then went back to her chair. She eased down and casually stroked the veil over her knees. The slow motion was hypnotic, and Theo couldn’t look away. She felt sick with dread, wondering how horrid the encounter would get before it ended.
“Will you tell me?” Edna asked. “Or will you make me guess?”
“I’ll tell you.”
Yet she couldn’t force out the words, and Edna snapped, “I’m waiting.”
“How did you discover I was gone?” she said instead.
“Fenton told me.”
“Oh.”
So…the little fiend had nearly killed her again. This time, he hadn’t even had to push her off a boat or lock her in a pyramid.
“With you dressed as you are”—Edna gestured to Theo’s clothes—“I can only assume you sneaked off to an assignation.”
“I’m sorry,” Theo muttered, too cowardly to confirm the worst.
When she’d been with Soloman, it had been blatantly evident they belonged together. In his presence, she’d felt powerful and magnificent and perfectly correct in controlling her own destiny.
But with her facing her aunt and having to defend her actions, she simply felt ashamed and disgraced.
“Who was it, Theo? Shall I start listing names of the men we’ve met since we arrived? Or is it someone new, someone I hadn’t realized was getting too friendly?”
“It’s Soloman Grey.”
“I suspected as much. What have you to say for yourself?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing!” Edna huffed. “You conceal yourself in native attire. You travel alone across this city of savages and criminals. You attend an illicit rendezvous with the most notorious scoundrel in the land, and you have nothing to say?”
“No.”
“Well, I have a few comments to share.”
“Yes, I’m sure you do.”
“When I convinced your father to let me bring you to Egypt, you complained about your banishment. You insisted that you weren’t dishonored, that it was silly to employ such a radical solution. You protested your innocence, Theo. You asserted that you were possessed of the highest moral character.”
“I know.”
“What am I to think now?”
“Mr. Grey is not the man you suppose him to be.”
“He encouraged you in your folly, and you defend him to me?”
“The assignation wasn’t his idea. It was mine.”
“Oh, so you are the trollop your father accused you of being.”
“No, I’m not a trollop. I love him. I want to marry him.”
“Soloman Grey?” Edna looked as if she’d been slapped. “Are you mad? Your father would never give his consent, and as I am in Egypt acting in his place, neither will I. You have to have recognized that fact, so what is your plan? Are you about to elope?”
“We haven’t decided.”
“Isn’t that interesting?” Edna mused. “He didn’t offer to rush out and have the banns called—if he could even find a Christian church in this godforsaken spot? He didn’t put a ring on your finger?”
“No, we didn’t get that far in the discussions.”
Edna snorted with disgust. “You claimed—after your imbroglio with Lord Trent—that you were still a maiden. Are you now? Or has that horse left the barn?”
Theo flushed such a hot shade of red she could have ignited in flames. She couldn’t fathom how to have a frank conversation about sexual matters. The words were stuck in her throat like a tough piece of meat.
“Tell me the truth, Theo!”
Edna shouted the remark, which woke Susan. She staggered in from the bedchamber. “What’s wrong? Mother, why are you in here, and why are the two of you quarreling?”
“This is none of your business, Susan,” Edna fumed. “Go back to bed.”
“How can I when you’re noisy enough to rouse the entire hotel. If you’re not careful, we’ll have the manager banging on the door.”
“If I wanted your opinion, Susan, I’d ask for it. Go away while I talk to your cousin.”
Susan turned to Theo. “Why are you fighting, Theo?”
“I love Mr. Grey. I went to see him.”
“In the middle of the night? Are you insane?”
“No, I just missed him.”
“You are insane. And you’re caught too. What were you thinking?”
Theo was desperate for an ally, but Soloman was the one who might have filled the role. She yearned to get Susan on her side, to have Susan provide an explanation that would calm Edna down. Susan was pursuing her own affair. She knew how easy it was to grow enmeshed beyond all logic or sense.
“Your mother hates Mr. Grey,” Theo said.
“With good reason from what I hear.”
“You’re aware of how acquaintance can blossom into a deeper connection.”
“I have no idea what you mean,” Susan replied, “and it’s certainly never happened to me.”
“If a woman meets a man who’s perfect for her,” Theo tried again, “she can’t help herself.”
“Of course she can,” Susan countered. “Why would a female deliberately attach herself to a man her family can’t abide? It’s only asking for trouble. If that’s what you’ve done, you’re deranged.”
Theo glared at Susan, and Susan glared back, visually apprising Theo that she would never support her. Theo thought of all the nights Susan had snuck out to be with Mr. Price, all the nights Theo had looked the other way and sworn not to tell. She was horridly crushed by her cousin’s disloyalty.
“Susan,” Edna said, “go to bed, or I will drag you there.”
“All right, all right,” Susan huffed, “but keep your voices down.”
She stomped off, diligently avoiding Theo’s pleading gaze, and Theo very clearly understood that Susan had never been her friend, would never be her friend. She was all alone in the world—just as she’d always been.
She turned to Edna, and she felt as if she was about to face a firing squad. Theo was twenty-three, but she wasn’t an independent person and she had no money of her own. What was Edna’s authority over her? What could Edna command? What power had she to force Theo to obey?
Theo had to contact Soloman. She had to inform him that they’d been discovered. He would know what to do. He would come and take her away.
“What now?” she asked her aunt.
“Pack your things.”
“Why?”
“I’m moving you over to my suite.”
“I don’t wish to do that, and I won’t do that.”
“Why won’t you, Theo? Are you supposing—the minute I leave—you’ll rush to Mr. Grey?”
“Yes. You never liked me. Why would you care?”
“You are my brother’s only daughter, my brother’s only child. I went to school with your mother. I encouraged your parents to wed. I spoke to my own father and persuaded him it would be a terrific match. I have always had your best interests at heart, the family’s best interests at heart, and you have the gall to sass me? Now, Theo? When you are completely disgraced yet again?”
Edna was so angry she was trembling. She pushed herself to her feet, and though she wasn’t an overly large woman, when she was riled, she was definitely a sight.
“Get your things.” She pointed into the bedchamber. “Immediately.”
“I won’t.”
“Fine, then. I shall stay here with you, for whatever you imagine is about to occur, you will not go to Soloman Grey.”
“How will you stop me? Will you wrestle me to the ground? Will you tie me to the furniture?”
“Yes, Theo. That is precisely what I shall d
o.”
Theo couldn’t envision such a hideous scene, and her spurt of bravado fled, exhaustion sweeping over her.
“Let’s not quarrel, Aunt Edna. It’s late, and I’m weary.”
“Yes, I hear trysting can be exhausting.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow—when cooler heads will prevail.”
“Trust me, Theo. My head is very, very cool, so you climb into bed while I compose the necessary letter to your father.”
“You don’t have to write to Father,” Theo protested.
“Don’t I? I am in charge of you during this journey. How do you predict he’ll view your…fling?”
“It’s not a fling, Edna. Soloman wants to marry me. It’s all arranged.”
“Is it?” Edna snidely retorted. “Have you picked a date for the wedding? Have you decided where you’ll reside? Have you discussed your finances? How much of a dowry will he require—for I must warn you that I doubt your father will be coerced into coughing up a penny.”
“I don’t expect Father will give me permission, nor will I beg him for money. I’m certain he’ll be quite vexed with me.”
“Vexed! Child, you have no idea. Now tell me, what sorts of arrangements have you and Mr. Grey made?”
With Edna seeking details that Theo couldn’t provide, some of her confidence slipped. “I simply mean that he proposed and I accepted. We’ll work out the rest.”
“You’ll live on love, will you?”
“If we have to, but Soloman owns a business. He ferries people up and down the Nile.”
“Yes, I’m sure that will keep you in grand style.”
“I don’t need grand style. I’ve never needed that.”
“We’ll see what you need, won’t we? Have you demanded he part with his mistress?”
Theo scowled, not having considered Mrs. Valda for a single second. Pretending confusion, she pasted on an innocent expression. “What mistress?”
“Mrs. Valda, you fool! His name has been linked to hers for years. Her husband abandoned her in Cairo. Guess why? He went home to Paris, and she refused to leave Mr. Grey. Will you be the one to finally separate them? When her own husband couldn’t accomplish it, what success will you have?”
Theo had no answer to the question, and Edna had her greatly unnerved. What did she really know about Soloman? She was aware of his relationship with Mrs. Valda and couldn’t deny they were very close. Would he give her up? Could Theo ask him to? What if he didn’t? What if he wouldn’t?
